Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

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Denver Public Schools

How I Teach

Colorado
2 hours ago

For this Denver AP English teacher, success means students who push against the status quo

A Denver teacher talks about why she sees teaching as an act of social justice, what she hands out on the first day of school and how her favorite lesson unfolds.

Big gains

Colorado
August 18, 2017

No. 1: This Denver turnaround school had the highest math growth in Colorado

The school also had the eighth-highest growth on state English tests.

'tough conversations'

Colorado
August 18, 2017

These seventh-graders started the school year talking about Charlottesville and what they can do about racism

Mirroring conversations happening nationwide, a group of Denver seventh-graders this week delved into a discussion about the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.

Shrinking gaps

Colorado
August 17, 2017

Denver Public Schools posts record gains on latest state tests

The academic growth was driven by low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities and English language learners.

data dump

Colorado
August 17, 2017

Colorado state test scores inch up, but wide socioeconomic gaps remain

Three years after Colorado introduced new, more demanding standardized tests, student performance statewide is slowly ticking up, according to data released Thursday. Most students…

grant money

Colorado
August 16, 2017

Denver charter Compass Academy wins $2.5 million to ‘reimagine high school’

The money is from the XQ Institute's Super School Project, an initiative backed by Laurene Powell Jobs.

TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SCHOOL DAY

Colorado
August 15, 2017

Colorado schools make plans to view — and teach — the solar eclipse

Schools throughout Colorado are setting aside time for students to view the eclipse, which is expected to reach 92.3 percent totality over Denver.

feeling blue

Colorado
August 10, 2017

New “education quarterback” organization to invest philanthropic dollars in Denver

Blue School Partners is set to launch in October.

split decision

Colorado
August 4, 2017

Denver teachers union, members of progressive wing diverge on key school board races

The Denver teachers union and a caucus within the union are split over who to support in two competitive school board races that could…

Fighting hunger

Colorado
August 4, 2017

No more cheese sandwiches: Denver restores hot lunches for students in debt

This year, DPS students in debt will still have access to hot lunches as the district resolves payment issues.

improvement efforts

Colorado
August 2, 2017

After years of stagnation, Colorado’s innovation schools see breakthrough in improvement, data show

The quadrupling of schools that improved could bolster backers of giving schools greater decision-making authority, an experiment playing out across the nation.
Colorado
August 1, 2017

Teach for America’s Tameka Brigham joins Denver Public Schools as chief of staff

Most recently, Tameka Brigham was managing director of research for Teach For America,

How I Teach

Colorado
July 31, 2017

For this Denver civics teacher, American history — warts and all — provides inspiration for changing the world

A Denver civics teacher talks about how her students change the world through civic projects, why she loves meeting parents and what celebrity coined her favorite advice.

Extra sleep

Colorado
July 21, 2017

Two Colorado districts shift to later high school start times — for very different reasons

The Greeley-Evans school district in northern Colorado will join the Cherry Creek district in suburban Denver in adopting later high school start times this fall.

out of the running

Colorado
July 20, 2017

Denver school board candidate Jo Ann Fujioka withdrawing from at-large race

She said she’s ending her candidacy because two other candidates backed out of running with her as a slate.

Rallying cry

Colorado
July 19, 2017

At DeVos protest, opponents seek to tie Trump education appointee to Denver school board

“In November, we have the opportunity to take our school board back!” one rally speaker said.

the race is on

Colorado
July 12, 2017

Barbara O’Brien has three challengers for her DPS board seat so far — and one almost pulled a big upset two years ago

Robert Speth narrowly lost to incumbent Happy Haynes in 2015.

job protections

Colorado
July 11, 2017

Fewer teachers losing tenure in Denver, other large Colorado districts

Twenty-one Denver teachers received their second consecutive less-than-effective rating in 2016-17.

State of the City

Colorado
July 10, 2017

Could a modest summer bus pass program for youth help unlock Denver’s bigger student transportation problems?

The pilot project will put 1,500 cash-loaded transit passes in the hands of Denver young people between 14 and 19.

new use

Colorado
June 30, 2017

Denver’s shuttered Gilpin Montessori school will temporarily house programs serving students with special needs

Two of the programs are run by DPS. The third is run by a Denver nonprofit.

Tough talk

Colorado
June 29, 2017

Denver teachers union’s strategy for this year’s contract negotiations: Go big

“If we never ask for it, it’s never going to happen," one union leader said.

'Each One Teach One'

Colorado
June 28, 2017

This Denver program is tackling the literacy gap. Trump’s budget proposal puts it at risk.

Each One Teach One targets the 30-million-word gap with intensive literacy training, art and outdoors activities such as biking and gardening.

'a bit stuck'

Colorado
June 27, 2017

Impasse declared in Denver teacher contract negotiations, prompting criticism from union

The declaration means the two sides will continue negotiations but with the aid of a mediator.

Changes

Colorado
June 21, 2017

As Denver gentrifies, which neighborhoods are losing public school students?

The number of students in the Highland neighborhood who attend a DPS school dropped 21 percent from 2010 to 2015.

BARRIERS TO ACCESS

Colorado
June 21, 2017

Public transportation won’t solve Denver’s school choice woes, study finds

Only 58 percent of students could get to a top-rated middle or high school in 30 minutes or less by public transit.

discipline decision

Colorado
June 20, 2017

Denver’s student discipline policy will limit suspensions and expulsions in early grades

The changes will take effect for the coming school year.

the choice

Colorado
June 19, 2017

Denver school board picks district-run programs to take over low-performing schools

In a rare split vote, the Denver school board voted 6-1 to place the Montbello Children’s Network at Amesse Elementary.

Difficult choice

Colorado
June 12, 2017

Denver schools chief backs community panel’s pick to replace closing school

He's recommending that leaders of McGlone Academy take over struggling Amesse Elementary.

comings and goings

Colorado
June 12, 2017

Denver Public Schools chief of staff leaving for United Way

Chief of Staff Eddie Koen will leave his position in September after a year with the school district.

the choice

Colorado
June 8, 2017

Divided community panel picks district-run option over charter to replace closing Denver school

The plan submitted by McGlone Academy leaders was recommended in a 3-2 vote.

it's about relationships

Colorado
June 8, 2017

Former Denver administrator, now D.C. schools chief, on why connecting with students matters

A former Denver Public Schools administrator talked about the need to create school environments where students feel valued at a Thursday event in Denver.

‘strengthening neighborhoods’

Colorado
June 5, 2017

Gentrification is changing Denver’s schools. This initiative aims to do something about it.

A committee will make recommendations on how to drive racial and economic integration.

tall order

Colorado
June 5, 2017

Denver is trying to involve the community more in its school closure process. It hasn’t been easy.

"It’s going to be really hard to find community members who are interested in serving who don’t have a tie to the schools or to the applicants.”

an 'equity agenda'

Colorado
May 30, 2017

Inside one Denver charter school operator’s push to serve all students

STRIVE Preparatory Schools has made fundamental changes in how it serves students.

Dealing with discipline

National
May 25, 2017

Former Newark schools chief Cami Anderson’s new mission: getting schools to rethink student discipline

After a rocky tenure as superintendent of the Newark Public Schools, Cami Anderson is now working with charter networks and school districts to reform…

early running

Colorado
May 24, 2017

Denver school board race opens up as Rosemary Rodriguez announces she won’t seek re-election

The race for four of the seven board seats is starting to take shape.

equity issues

Colorado
May 24, 2017

A report found black students and teachers in Denver face inequities. Can these 11 recommendations make a difference?

One recommendation: Incentivize black educators to come to Denver Public Schools and stay.

feedback wanted

Colorado
May 22, 2017

After seven months, recommendations due from Denver task force on African-American equity issues

The public will get a chance to review and respond to the recommendations at a meeting Wednesday.

clearing a hurdle

Colorado
May 19, 2017

These 20 schools just won approval from the Denver school board

Eleven are new elementary charter schools.

digging into discipline

Colorado
May 19, 2017

Jeffco Public Schools suspended an average of four young students a day last year — and district officials are paying attention

Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado's second largest school district, hands out many more suspensions to early elementary students than most other large districts.

two hats

Colorado
May 18, 2017

Denver Public Schools’ glaring conflict: both authorizing and operating schools

Charter schools are questioning whether they are getting a fair shot in the heated competition to restart two schools being closed.

upcoming vote

Colorado
May 18, 2017

Denver charter applicant alleges school isn’t getting a fair shot because of ‘prior controversy’

PODER Academy founder Marcos Martinez submitted an application to restart low-performing Greenlee Elementary.

Call for quality

Colorado
May 15, 2017

Down to two: University Prep no longer an option to replace low-performing Amesse Elementary

A STRIVE Prep charter school and a district-sponsored applicant modeled on McGlone Elementary will vie for the restart.

Big decision

Colorado
May 12, 2017

School districts can create brand-new innovation schools, state high court rules

DPS didn't break the law when it approved innovation plans for 11 new schools, Colorado Supreme Court finds.

progress report

Colorado
May 9, 2017

Some Denver schools beat the odds, but new report says more gains needed districtwide

While the 92,000-student district is indeed getting better, opportunity is “unevenly distributed," the report says.

short list

Colorado
May 1, 2017

Denver-based DSST named finalist for national charter school prize

Denver-based DSST Public Schools has been named one of three finalists for a prestigious national prize recognizing large charter school networks with records of…

changing city

Colorado
April 27, 2017

The thorny problem of segregated schools and Denver’s newest plan to address it

Denver Public Schools' plan for a new committee to address school integration unfolds as a new report illuminates the district's segregation problem.

How I Lead

Colorado
April 25, 2017

This Denver assistant principal builds relationships and heads off misbehavior with bow ties

A Denver assistant principal talks about how he approaches leadership, what he’s learned from evaluating teachers, and why he's so into bow ties.

strong words

Colorado
April 14, 2017

Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet: Betsy DeVos is an ideologue, not the face of education reform

Bennet also expressed fears about how the Trump administration might undermine the nation’s new education law, which he helped craft.
Colorado
April 6, 2017

Did immigration agents get too close to a Denver school? City, district officials raise questions

Denver city, school and court officials wrote to ICE with concerns about recent immigration actions.
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